KOROR, Palau — In a troubling indication of Palau’s growing illegal drug crisis, three individuals have been charged in separate cases involving methamphetamine—a powerful and highly addictive stimulant—according to recent filings by the Office of the Attorney General.
The cases, filed in the Supreme Court’s Trial Division between April 29 and May 2, 2025, include charges of trafficking and possession of methamphetamine, highlighting both the spread and severity of narcotics use in the Republic.
Trafficking and Possession Charges
In one of the more serious cases, Milah Obeketang of Iyebukel, Koror, was charged on April 23 with two felony counts: Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance. According to an affidavit filed by the Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU), a controlled buy operation revealed that Obeketang sold 1.18 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. If convicted, she faces between 25 to 50 years in prison and fines ranging from $50,000 to $1 million for trafficking, and an additional 15 to 25 years and up to $50,000 in fines for possession.
Meanwhile, Francisco S. Abraham, also of Koror, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance after police observed him attempting to hide a glass pipe during the arrest of another individual on May 2. Field tests confirmed the pipe contained 0.2 grams of methamphetamine. If convicted, Abraham faces a minimum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Lastly, Jimson Jomar Blailes, a resident of Ikelau, Koror, was caught near the Koror Jail on April 29 with a plastic straw containing 0.17 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and remains in custody. Like Abraham, Blailes faces a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
A Growing Threat
All three cases were investigated by the NEU, whose officers described an increase in meth-related activities. “We are seeing a wider spread of use and trafficking of methamphetamines, even small-scale dealers willing to risk heavy penalties,” said a law enforcement official familiar with the investigations.
The penalties reflect the government’s hardline stance against drug crimes, but the growing number of arrests suggests enforcement alone may not be enough to curb the epidemic.
Public safety officials and policymakers have repeatedly warned of the social and health consequences of meth use in Palau, including increased rates of crime, family disintegration, and mental illness. With rehabilitation services limited and community-based prevention programs under-resourced, advocates are calling for a broader national response.